[Value of plasma exchange in necrotizing angeitis. 11 cases]

Plasma exchanges proved useful in a series of 11 patients with necrotizing angeitis resistant to conventional treatment (corticosteroids alone in 6 cases and combined with cyclophosphamide in 5 cases). Among the 9 patients alive after 18 months' follow-up, 5 were in remission without treatment. The only disturbing complication of plasma exchanges was hepatitis B in 3 of the 4 survivors who received frozen fresh plasma as substitute. It is suggested that these immuno-compromized patients should receive diluted albumin instead of fresh frozen plasma.